Tales of the Grotesque and Burlesque

In 1840, the collection Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque gathered together many of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories under one cover, including "The Fall of the House of Usher," "Morella" and "Ligeia." While the term "grotesque" is entirely fitting, critics have long debated Poe's intent when tagging his stories as "arabesque." This Saturday, the Beggar's Carnivale sidestep the issue by combining the "grotesque" with "burlesque" in their new show Nevermore: Murder Mysteries at the House of Usher. For one night only, the works of Poe will be filtered through the Beggar's unique vaudeville circus to create a Gothic gala the likes of which St. Louis has never seen. The Casa Loma Ballroom (3354 Iowa Avenue; www.beggarscarnivale.com) opens at 7:30 p.m. to reveal the carnival midway sideshows, vendors and games, and the show itself begins at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission, or $30 for VIP entry.
Sat., Nov. 10, 2012